We're looking forward to welcoming our families tonight at 6 pm for Meet the Teacher. The event will begin with a presentation in the gym, after which you'll have the chance to visit your child's classroom and meet their teacher. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to complete the necessary annual online forms in the Learning Commons if you wish.

A reminder that tomorrow is a non-instructional day which means there is no school for students.

 

I have three additional items to share with you this week:

Truth and Reconciliation Week | September 25-30

On September 30th, we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. To honor this occasion, we will be celebrating Orange Shirt Day on September 28th. Orange Shirt Day is a significant event that prompts us to reflect on the history and enduring consequences of the residential school system in Canada. It stands as a poignant reminder of the profound impact this system had on Indigenous children and their families. The orange shirt serves as a symbol representing the experiences of those who attended these schools and underscores the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of adversity.

Throughout the upcoming week, we will also be arranging age-appropriate activities and discussions in our classrooms. These initiatives are designed to help our students gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this day.

Staffing Updates

Due to an increase in Kindergarten enrollment, we are adding another afternoon Kindergarten section. This adjustment will affect our classroom teachers, and we have already informed the families impacted earlier this week.

As part of these changes, we are excited to welcome a new staff member to our grade 3/4 team. Karen Loor will be assuming the role of teacher for Mr. Beechey's class in Room 11. Meanwhile, Mr. Beechey will be taking over Mrs. MacPhee's grade 1 class in Room 6. Lastly, Mrs. MacPhee will be transitioning to the Kindergarten section to support the opening of our new afternoon session.

All these transitions will be carefully managed over the next two weeks.

Assessment within Alberta’s New Curriculum

Our families have been invited to attend a session put on by Alberta Regional Consortium on September 28 at 6-7pm. The session will take place at CN Gunn school and will:

• Examine the ways students are assessed and evaluated
• Explore learning outcomes expected at each grade level
• Understand the structure and architecture of new curriculum
• With this knowledge in hand, we will conclude with some easy-to-use strategies that you can use at home with your child.

All families are welcome to attend.

 

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and if you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office at 403-777-6610.

 

Take care, 

Steve Ross

Principal, Beddington Heights School

Key Dates:

September 22                    Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students)

September 28                    Orange Shirt Day

September 28                    McDonalds Fun Lunch | Order by Sept. 23

September 29                    National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30 Day in Lieu | School Closed)

October 1                          The Sneetches (Select Students Only)

October 3                          School Council Meeting | Microsoft Teams Link (6:30pm)

October 9                          Thanksgiving (School Closed)

October 17                        School Photos

October 19                        Fun Lunch | The Saucy Bread Company

October 20                        Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students)

October 26                        Halloween Family Dance

November 8                       Remembrance Day Ceremony | 10:30 am

November 9                       Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students)

November 10-14               Fall Break (No School for Students)

Recurring Messages

Beddington Heights Social Media Account

Beddington Heights School is on Instagram! We will be posting information related to school events along with showcasing some of the learning taking place throughout our building!

Please follow us:

@beddingtonheightsschoolcbe

 

The Sneetches – Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

 

Beddington Heights Parent Council is sponsoring tickets for 34 students to attend Dr. Seuss and the Sneetches at Jack Singer Concert Hall. This musical concert performed by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will take place on Sunday, October 1^st at 3:00pm. Follow the link to gather more information about the event. https://calgaryphil.com/events/the-sneetches-by-dr-seuss-2023-10-01-300-pm

 

Tickets and transportation (chartered bus) are free. Pick up and drop off will be at Beddington Heights School. Ms. Austin and a few parent volunteers will provide supervision. All students who shared an interest by the final date of this past Wednesday will be able to attend. Those families please check backpacks for Acknowledgement of Risk Forms that need to be returned by September 21^st. Thank you to Parent Council for providing this opportunity for our students!

Fun Lunch Message from Parent Council

Welcome back to school and welcome to fun lunch! If you are new to Beddington Heights Elementary School you might be wondering “What is Fun Lunch?” Well, Fun Lunch is a fundraising opportunity for the Parents Council to raise money to put towards dances, school supplies, books and so much more! When you purchase a Fun Lunch you give your child a special lunch and support their school.

How:

Go to www.healthyhunger.ca to register your child or sign in and place your order. Payments preferably made online but in special circumstances, cash can be paid to the school office.

Our first Fun Lunch on Sept.28 is going to be a nice hot meal from MacDonalds! Order before Sept.23. (Unfortunately, we cannot accept or modify orders past the cut-off date.)

We hope your child enjoys the MacDonalds fun lunch!

Annual Forms to be Completed

1. Online forms:

As communicated through a system wide School Messenger earlier this week, many forms will now be completed online through your MyCBE Account including the Demographic Verification form and the Annual Authorization. To locate these forms, please log in to your MyCBE account and select Online Forms and School registration on the left-hand side.

1. Hard Copy Forms:

Your child will come home with 2 forms either earlier this week or next week.

• Admirable Use Policy form – Students need to have a signed copy of this form returned to their homeroom teacher in order to access the school’s technology (Chromebooks, iPads etc.)
• Brown Baggers Program form – Allows you to identify which foods should/should not be given to your child in the event they have forgotten their lunch on a given day.

1. Printable Forms (attached):

The following forms are either informational or are available to be printed off and returned to the school. Should you require a hard copy of the form, please contact the office, and we will ensure one is sent home with your child.

• Student Health Plan
  • This form is not required for all students.
  • It is only required if:
    • a physical or medical condition may affect your childs attendance at school
    • medication is to be taken at school by your child
    • It is reviewed and updated annually or sooner if there is a change in the student’s health concern or school registration.

• Walking Field Trip Form – Teachers organize short walking field trips during the course of the year. The attached letter outlines the rationale and process for these trips. Please contact the school if you have any questions about this process.
• Annual Volunteer Registration Form – Needs to be completed every year in order to volunteer within the school or on field trips. Also requires a current (within the last 5 years) police check on file with the school. Contact the office if you have any questions.

Communication | What to Expect

 

As a school community, we strive for concise communication. Whole school information will be shared via this Principal Weekly Update, while class-specific details will be in teacher weekly messages. Please read both updates to stay informed, as messages will not be repeated in both messages.